What is the minimum wage for a teacher in South Australia?

Most South Australian teachers are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (federal) or a state enterprise agreement. Under the federal award, a Level 1 teacher must be paid at least $1,455.40 per week ($75,941 per year) as of 1 July 2026. The South Australian Department for Education publishes its own pay rates for public school teachers, which are typically higher than the award minimum. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) is the legal floor.

Do SA teachers get super on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee, which from 1 July 2026 is 12% of ordinary time earnings, on top of the teacher's salary. For example, a teacher earning the award minimum of $75,941 would receive an additional $9,112.92 in super contributions per year. This is a separate employer payment and not deducted from the quoted salary.

How does the SA teacher salary compare to the national average?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. A Level 1 teacher under the federal award earns $1,455.40 per week, which is below that average. However, experienced teachers at higher classification levels (e.g., Level 5 at $2,013.70 per week) earn close to or above the national average. South Australian government school teachers may have different rates under their enterprise agreement.

SA Teacher Salary: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

The minimum salary for a Level 1 teacher under the federal award is $75,941 per year, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Understanding the SA Teacher Salary and Its Pay Floor

When searching for "sa teacher salary", most readers want to know the minimum they can expect to earn and how that compares to the legal pay floor. In Australia, the answer depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or no industrial instrument at all. This guide explains the different layers that set the minimum wage for teachers in South Australia.

The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour. This is the absolute legal floor for award‑free and agreement‑free employees in the national system.

However, most teachers are not award‑free. The national minimum wage only applies if no other instrument sets a higher rate. For teachers, that is almost never the case.

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which covers teachers in preschools, schools, and children’s services. This award sets minimum rates well above the national minimum. For a full‑time teacher at Level 1 (graduate or provisional registration), the minimum weekly rate is $1,455.40, equating to $75,941 per year. Hourly, that is $38.30. Higher classifications attract higher rates:

Level 2: $1,590.70/week ($83,004/year)
Level 3: $1,731.70/week ($90,362/year)
Level 4: $1,872.70/week ($97,720/year)
Level 5: $2,013.70/week ($105,076/year)

These rates apply from 1 July 2026. Teachers in long day care centres receive an additional 4% loading. Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3.

South Australian Government School Teacher Rates

The South Australian Department for Education publishes its own pay schedules for public school teachers under state enterprise agreements. The School Teachers Award Web Rates May 2026 shows tiered annual salaries that often exceed the federal award minimum. For example, a teacher at Tier 1 earns approximately $86,000 per year (exact figures vary by classification step). These rates are negotiated and may include additional allowances.

Because enterprise agreements can override the award, SA public school teachers should refer to their specific agreement or the Department’s pay tables. The award remains the safety net if the agreement is less favourable (which is rare).

How to Determine Which Pay Floor Applies

If you are a teacher in South Australia, follow these steps:

Check if you are covered by a federal or state award. Most private schools and early childhood centres use the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. Public schools use a state enterprise agreement.
Look at your employment contract or enterprise agreement. It should state the classification and pay rate.
If no award or agreement applies (unlikely for teachers), the national minimum wage is the floor.

For more detail on which instrument covers you, see our guide Which minimum wage applies and the Rate tables page.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

All salary figures quoted here are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay the super guarantee, which from 1 July 2026 is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a teacher on $75,941, that adds $9,112.92 in compulsory super contributions each year. This is an employer cost, not a deduction from your pay.

Comparing SA Teacher Salaries to Broader Averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full‑time adult average ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. A Level 1 teacher under the award earns $1,455.40, which is about 30% below that average. However, experienced teachers at Level 5 earn $2,013.70, close to the national average. South Australian government school teachers at higher tiers may match or exceed the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have included three common questions below. For more, visit our Topics page.

Note: The figures in this guide are based on publicly available sources from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, the ABS, and the South Australian Department for Education. They are provided for orientation only and do not constitute legal or pay determination advice. Always consult the relevant award or agreement for your specific situation.